Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary river run
Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
The Middle Fork is part of the Weminuche Wilderness Area, which has specific regulations that paddlers must follow. These regulations include practicing Leave No Trace principles, camping only in designated areas, and obtaining a permit through the San Juan National Forest. Additionally, boaters should be aware of a seasonal closure from March 1 to May 31 to protect wintering big game.
Overall, the Middle Fork of the San Juan River is a challenging and rewarding whitewater run for experienced paddlers. It is important to carefully consider the specific regulations and obstacles before embarking on this adventure.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 233 cfs | → |
| East Fork San Juan River Nr Pagosa Springs | -888 cfs | → |
| San Juan River At Pagosa Springs | 464 cfs | → |
| Vallecito Creek Near Bayfield | 147 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 61 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 457 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Sierra Vandera--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Flint Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
Campgrounds
- Palisades Campground
- Palisades Horse Campground
- Cimarrona
- Cimarrona Campground
- Teal Campground
- Williams Creek - Pagosa Springs
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
What's the optimal flow for Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary.